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SCA strongly condemns attack on MSF supported hospital in Kabul

The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) strongly condemns the attack on Médecins sans Frontieres supported maternity hospital in Kabul. Reports show that most of the victims of the attack were women, newborns, and nurses.

“We strongly condemn the attack on the MSF supported hospital in Kabul. The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan stands with Doctors Without Borders/Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) and Ministry of Public Health for the right to health for all Afghans and the sanctity of hospitals and clinics”, said Andreas Stefansson, SCA’s Secretary General.

Targeting civilians and health facilities constitute a clear violation of applicable International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and significantly undermines the provision of health services to the people in need. The SCA calls on all warring parties involved in the conflict to avoid targeting civilians and health facilities.

Daniel Madhani, SCA’s Country Director says “We strongly condemn this attack on Dasht-e-Barchi’s maternity hospital in which mothers, newborns, and nurses were targeted. It happened at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic also threatens many lives. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”

Health facilities have been targeted previously as well in Afghanistan by various sides involved in the conflict. The SCA and other national and international NGOs are working in Afghanistan to provide the most needed services to the people of Afghanistan and therefore, SCA once again calls on all parties involved in the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian laws.